Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device having an improved display characteristics and reduced manufacturing cost is provided. The display device includes a plurality of pixels arranged on a surface of a substrate. The plurality of pixels each include: a light-emitting element; a driving transistor; a selecting transistor; and a retention capacitor. The driving transistor has a bottom-gate structure. The driving transistor has a semiconductor layer containing a first semiconductor. The retention capacitor has a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode doubles as a gate of the driving transistor. The second electrode is disposed at a lower layer than the first electrode and contains a second semiconductor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from theprior Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-186671, filed on Sep. 26,2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to display devices and, in particular, toa display device using a silicon semiconductor and an oxidesemiconductor.

BACKGROUND

Low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS), which is used in liquid crystaldisplay devices, are widely used in current small-to-medium-sizeddisplay devices, as it has a high carrier mobility. In the field oforganic EL display devices, too, the development of an array step hasbeen advanced on the basis of LTPS technology.

However, it is difficult to form a sufficiently uniform LTPS layer in anexcimer laser anneal (ELA) step. Variations in the characteristics ofthin-film transistors (TFTs) due to nonuniformity in LTPS causenonuniformity in the luminance of the organic EL display devices.

To address this problem, measures to reduce variations in thecharacteristics of the TFTs have been taken by forming a correctingcircuit in a peripheral circuit or a pixel. Further, such measures havebeen taken in the ELA step as to perform laser irradiation over and overmultiple times. However, measures such as these pose problems in termsof apparatus cost, material cost of a laser, and the like.

To address this problem, not only transistors made of polycrystallinesilicon that are believed to be high in driving capability but alsotransistors using a transparent amorphous oxide semiconductor that areexpected to be small in characteristic variation have been studied toreduce power consumption and take measures against variations in thecharacteristics of the transistors.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2015-225104 discloses a display device including two or more transistorsin one pixel, wherein the two or more transistors include a firsttransistor whose channel semiconductor layer is made of polycrystallinesilicon and a second transistor whose channel semiconductor layer ismade of an oxide semiconductor.

SUMMARY

A display device according to an embodiment of the present inventionincludes a plurality of pixels arranged on a surface of a substrate. Theplurality of pixels each include: a light-emitting element; a drivingtransistor; a selecting transistor; and a retention capacitor. Thedriving transistor has a bottom-gate structure, and includes asemiconductor layer containing a first semiconductor. The retentioncapacitor has a first electrode and a second electrode. The firstelectrode doubles as a gate of the driving transistor. The secondelectrode is disposed at a lower layer than the first electrode andcontains a second semiconductor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configurationof a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of adisplay device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of apixel circuit of a pixel of a display device according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a pixel of adisplay device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a pixelof a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6F is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6G is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6H is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6I is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6J is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6K is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6L is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6M is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6N is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6O is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a pixel of adisplay device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a pixelof a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9D is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9E is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9F is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 9G is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the invention described in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2015-225104, each pixel has a mixture of a firsttransistor whose channel semiconductor layer is made of polycrystallinesilicon and a second transistor whose channel semiconductor layer ismade of an oxide semiconductor.

However, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2015-225104 fails to disclose a technology in which not only a pluralityof pixel circuits but also a circuit including driving circuits thatdrive the pixel circuits have a mixture of transistors whose channelsemiconductor layers are made of different semiconductor materials.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a displaydevice whose display characteristics are improved and whosemanufacturing cost is reduced by having, in a plurality of pixelcircuits and a circuit including driving circuits that drive the pixelcircuits, a mixture of transistors whose channel semiconductor layersare made of different semiconductor materials.

In the following, display devices according to some embodiments of thepresent invention are described in detail with reference to thedrawings. It should be noted that a display device of the presentinvention is not limited to any of the embodiments described below butmay be implemented in various modifications. All of the embodiments aredescribed by giving the same components the same reference numerals.Further, for convenience of explanation, the dimensional ratios of thedrawings may be different from actual ratios, and some of the componentsmay be omitted from the drawings.

First Embodiment [Appearance Configuration]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance configuration ofa display device 100 according to a first embodiment. The appearanceconfiguration of the display device 100 according to the firstembodiment is described with reference to FIG. 1.

The display device 100 according to the first embodiment includes anarray substrate 102 and a counter substrate 106.

The array substrate 102 includes at least a first substrate 104, aplurality of pixels 110, a peripheral circuit (not illustrated), and aplurality of connection terminals 112.

The first substrate 104 has a display area 104 a, a terminal area 104 b,and a peripheral circuit area 104 c disposed on a surface thereof. Thefirst substrate 104 serves as a support for the plurality of pixels 110.The first substrate 104 can be made of a material such as a glasssubstrate, an acrylic resin substrate, an alumina substrate, or apolyimide substrate. The first substrate 104 may be a flexiblesubstrate. The flexible substrate is made of a resin material. It ispreferable that the resin material be a high molecular materialcontaining an imide bond in a repeating unit. For example, the resinmaterial is polyimide. Specifically, the first substrate 104 is a filmsubstrate obtained by molding polyimide into a sheet.

The plurality of pixels 110 are arranged on the surface of the firstsubstrate 104. The display area 104 a is an area where the plurality ofpixels 110 are arranged. In the first embodiment, the plurality ofpixels 110 are arranged in rows and columns. The plurality of pixels 110may be arranged in any number. For example, the plurality of pixels 110may be arranged in a matrix with m rows and n columns (where m and n areintegers). As will be described later, each of the plurality of pixels110 is constituted by a pixel circuit 130 including at least a drivingtransistor 132, a selecting transistor 134, a light-emitting element136, and a retention capacitor 138 (FIG. 3), although these componentsare not illustrated in FIG. 1.

The peripheral circuit (e.g. a control circuit 120, a scanning linedriving circuit 122, a video line driving circuit 124, a drive powercircuit 126, and a reference power circuit 128, which will be describedlater) is disposed on the surface of the first substrate 104. Theperipheral circuit area 104 c is an area where the peripheral circuit isdisposed. The peripheral circuit drives the pixel circuit 130 of each ofthe plurality of pixels 110 and controls how the plurality of pixels 110emit light.

The plurality of connection terminals 112 are disposed at one edge ofthe first substrate 104 and outside of the counter substrate 106. Theterminal area 104 b is an area where the plurality of connectionterminals 112 are disposed. To the plurality of connection terminals112, a circuit board (not illustrated) is connected. The circuit boardconnects the display device 100 to a device that outputs video signals,a power source, and the like. The plurality of connection terminals 112have outwardly exposed contacts connected to the circuit board.

The counter substrate 106 includes a second substrate 108. The secondsubstrate 108 may be similar to the first substrate 104. The secondsubstrate 108 is provided on an upper surface of the display area 104 aso as to face the first substrate 104. The second substrate 108 is fixedto the first substrate 104 by a sealant 170 surrounding the display area104 a. The display area 104 a disposed on the first substrate 104 issealed with the second substrate 108 and the sealant 170. It should benoted that it is not always necessary to use the sealant 170 to fix thesecond substrate 108 to the first substrate 104, and it is possible touse another means to do so. A possible example is to use an adhesivefiller or the like. In this case, the display area 104 a is sealed withthe second substrate 108 and the adhesive filler. It is of coursepossible to use another method.

It should be noted that although the display device 100 according to thepresent embodiment includes the aforementioned second substrate 108, thesecond substrate 108 is not limited to a plate-like member but may bereplaced by a film member or a sealing member coated with resin or thelike.

The counter substrate 106 may further include a color filter, alight-blocking layer, a polarizing plate, a retardation film, and thelike, although these components are not illustrated. The color filter isdisposed in places facing each separate pixel 110. The light-blockinglayer (also called “black matrix”) is disposed in places demarcatingeach separate pixel 110. The polarizing plate and the retardation filmcover the plurality of pixels 110 and are disposed on an outer surfaceof the counter substrate 106. The polarizing plate and the retardationfilm are disposed to suppress a deterioration in viewability due toreflection at a pixel electrode of outside light having entered thedisplay device 100.

The foregoing has described the appearance configuration of the displaydevice 100 according to the first embodiment. The following describes acircuit configuration of the display device 100 according to the firstembodiment with reference to the drawings.

[Circuit Configuration]

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of thedisplay device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is acircuit diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the pixelcircuit 130 of each of the plurality of pixels 110 of the display device100 according to the first embodiment.

The display device 100 according to the first embodiment includes aperipheral circuit, a plurality of pixel circuits 130, a plurality ofscanning signal lines 140, and a plurality of video signal lines 142.

The peripheral circuit drives the pixel circuit 130 of each of theplurality of pixels 110 and controls how the plurality of pixels 110emit light. The peripheral circuit includes a control circuit 120, ascanning line driving circuit 122, a video line driving circuit 124, adrive power circuit 126, and a reference power circuit 128.

It should be noted that the peripheral circuit includes transistorswhose semiconductor layers contain a second semiconductor. A specificmaterial for the second semiconductor will be described later.

The control circuit 120 controls how the scanning line driving circuit122, the video line driving circuit 124, the drive power circuit 126,and the reference power circuit 128 operate.

The scanning line driving circuit 122 is connected to the plurality ofscanning signal lines 140. The plurality of scanning signal lines 140are provided for each separate horizontal arrangement (pixel row) of theplurality of pixels 110. The scanning line driving circuit 122 selectsthe plurality of scanning signal lines 140 in sequence in accordancewith timing signals that are inputted from the control circuit 120.

The video line driving circuit 124 is connected to the plurality ofvideo signal lines 142. The plurality of video signal lines 124 areprovided for each separate vertical arrangement (pixel column) of theplurality of pixels 110. The video line driving circuit 124 receivesvideo signals from the control circuit 120, and as the scanning linedriving circuit 122 selects the scanning signal lines 140, the videoline driving circuit 124 causes a voltage corresponding to a videosignal of a selected pixel row to be written through the plurality ofvideo signal lines 142.

The drive power circuit 126 is connected to drive power lines 144provided for each separate pixel column. The drive power circuit 126supplies a current that causes the pixels 110 of a selected pixel row toemit light.

The reference power circuit 128 is connected to a reference power line146 provided in common for the plurality of pixels 110. The referencepower circuit 128 applies a constant potential to a common electrodethat constitutes the cathode electrodes of the light-emitting elements136.

The following describes a circuit configuration of each of the pluralityof pixel circuits 130 with reference to FIG. 3. It should be noted thatthe circuit configuration of the pixel circuit 130 described below is anexample and is not limited to this.

Each of the plurality of pixel circuits 130 includes at least a drivingtransistor 132, a selecting transistor 134, a light-emitting element136, and a retention capacitor 138.

The driving transistor 132 is a transistor that is connected to thelight-emitting element 136 and controls the emission luminance of thelight-emitting element 136. The driving transistor 132 has its draincurrent controlled by a gate-source voltage. The driving transistor 132has its gate connected to the drain of the selecting transistor 134, itssource connected to a drive power line 144, and its drain connected tothe anode of the light-emitting element 136. The driving transistor 132has a semiconductor layer 132 d containing a first semiconductor. Aspecific material for the first semiconductor will be described later.

The selecting transistor 134 is a transistor that controls theconduction state between a video signal line 142 and the gate of thedriving transistor 132 by on-off control action. The selectingtransistor 134 has its gate connected to a scanning signal line 140, itssource connected to the video signal line 142, and its drain connectedto the gate of the driving transistor 132. The selecting transistor 134has a semiconductor layer 134 d containing the same first semiconductoras the driving transistor 132. The specific material for the firstsemiconductor will be described later.

That is, in the first embodiment, the semiconductor (secondsemiconductor) of the transistors that constitute the peripheral circuitand the semiconductor (first semiconductor) of the selecting transistor134 and the driving transistor 132 are different materials.

The light-emitting element 136 has its anode connected to the drain ofthe driving transistor 132 and its cathode connected to a referencepower line 146.

The retention capacitor 138 is connected between the gate and drain ofthe driving transistor 132. The retention capacitor 138 retains thegate-drain voltage of the driving transistor 132.

The foregoing has described the circuit configuration of the peripheralcircuit of the display device 100 according to the first embodiment andthe circuit configuration of the pixel circuit 130 of each of theplurality of pixels 110. The required characteristics of the transistorsthat constitute the peripheral circuit and of the driving transistor 132and the selecting transistor 134, which constitute the pixel circuit130, are described here. Furthermore, the specific materials for thefirst and second semiconductors are described. The transistors thatconstitute the peripheral circuit and the driving transistor 132 and theselecting transistor 134, which constitute the pixel circuit 130, arerequired to have different characteristics.

Because of constraints pertaining to the width of a frame (bezel) of adisplay device and constraints pertaining power consumption and thelike, it is preferable that the transistors of the peripheral circuit behigh in carrier mobility and able to form CMOS. Accordingly, the firstembodiment uses polycrystalline silicon as the second semiconductor ofthe transistors that constitute the peripheral circuit.

The driving transistor 132 operates in a saturated state. It istherefore preferable that the driving transistor 132 have saturationcharacteristics that vary narrowly in on-state. Furthermore, it isdesirable that the driving transistor 132 have a certain or greaterchannel length. This is because variations attributed to a so-calledchannel effect become obvious if the channel length of the drivingtransistor 132 is too short.

It is therefore preferable that the first semiconductor of the drivingtransistor 132 be a semiconductor that can minimize variations inon-state. The first embodiment uses an oxide semiconductor as the firstsemiconductor. While use of polycrystalline silicon as the firstsemiconductor may cause variations attributed to laser irradiation inELA (excimer laser anneal), the use of an oxide semiconductor as thefirst semiconductor makes it possible to avoid such a problem.

It is desirable that the selecting transistor 134 have satisfactoryswitching characteristics. That is, it is preferable that the selectingtransistor 134 be large in current value in an on-state and small incurrent value in an off-state.

It is therefore preferable that the first semiconductor of the selectingtransistor 134 be a material that can minimize a leak current in anoff-state of the selecting transistor 134. As mentioned above, the firstembodiment uses an oxide semiconductor as the first semiconductor. Atransistor using an oxide semiconductor is known to be sufficientlysmaller in leak current in an off-state than a transistor using asilicon semiconductor.

This allows the selecting transistor 134 to reduce the leak current inan off-state. For this reason, as can be seen from the pixel circuit 130shown in FIG. 3, charges accumulated in the retention capacitor 138 canbe prevented from becoming lost due to a source-drain leak current evenin an off-state of the selecting transistor 134.

The following describes in detail a configuration of each of theplurality of pixels 110 of the display device 100 according to the firstembodiment with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration of Pixel]

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a pixel 110 of thedisplay device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is across-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the pixel 110 ofthe display device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 showscross-sections taken along lines A-A′ and B-B′, respectively, of FIG. 4.

The display device 100 according to the first embodiment includes thefirst substrate 104 and the plurality of pixels 110.

On the surface of the first substrate 104, the display area 104 a, theterminal area 104 b, and the peripheral circuit area 104 c are disposed.Examples of the material of which the first substrate 104 can be madeare the same as those named above.

The plurality of pixels 110 are arranged on the surface of the firstsubstrate 104. The display area 104 a is an area where the plurality ofpixels 110 are arranged. Each of the plurality of pixels 110 includes atleast a light-emitting element 136, a driving transistor 132, aselecting transistor 134, a retention capacitor 138, a first contactelectrode 184 a, and a second contact electrode 184 b.

The retention capacitor 138 is disposed over a first insulating layer152. The first insulating layer 152 is disposed on one surface of thefirst substrate 104 so as to extend across at least the display area 104a. The first insulating layer 152 prevents foreign matter such asimpurities contained in the first substrate 104 from entering any of theplurality of pixels 110. The first insulating layer 152 can be made of amaterial such as an inorganic insulating material. Usable examples ofthe inorganic insulating material include silicon oxide, siliconnitride, and the like. Alternatively, the inorganic insulating materialmay have a laminated structure of a combination of these materials.

The retention capacitor 138 has a first electrode 138 a and a secondelectrode 138 b. The first electrode 138 a doubles as a gate 132 a ofthe driving transistor 132. The second electrode 138 b is disposed at alower layer than the first electrode 138 a. The second electrode 138 bis made of a material including the second semiconductor. In the firstembodiment, as mentioned above, the second semiconductor ispolycrystalline silicon. Since the second semiconductor serves as oneelectrode of a capacitor, it is preferable that the second semiconductorbe high in both carrier mobility and carrier density. In the firstembodiment, the second electrode 138 b is one obtained by implanting ahigh concentration of impurities such as phosphorus (P) intopolycrystalline silicon and thereby imparting n-type conductivity. Inthe following description, the second semiconductor may sometimes bereferred to as “polycrystalline silicon”.

The retention capacitor 138 is formed by the first electrode 138 a andthe second electrode 138 b with a second insulating layer 154 sandwichedtherebetween. In a layer structure, the second insulating layer 154 issandwiched between the first electrode 138 a and the second electrode138 b. Further, in a planar structure, the second insulating layer 154is disposed across at least the display area 104 a. The secondinsulating layer 154 may be made of the same material as theaforementioned first insulating layer 152.

The driving transistor 132 has a so-called bottom-gate structure inwhich a gate is disposed below a semiconductor layer with a gateinsulating layer interposed therebetween. The semiconductor layer 132 dof the driving transistor 132 contains the first semiconductor. In thefirst embodiment, as mentioned above, the first semiconductor is anoxide semiconductor. In the following description, the firstsemiconductor may sometimes be referred to as “oxide semiconductor”. Thegate 132 a of the driving transistor 132 doubles as the first electrode138 a of the retention capacitor 138.

The gate insulating layer of the driving transistor 132 is a thirdinsulating layer 156. In a layer structure, the third insulating layer156 is disposed at a higher layer than the retention capacitor 138.Further, in a planar structure, the third insulating layer 156 isdisposed across the display area 104 a. The third insulating layer 156functions as the gate insulating layers of the driving transistor 132and the selecting transistor 134. The third insulating layer 156 may bemade of the same material as the aforementioned first insulating layer152.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the driving transistor 132 has a channelregion that, in a plan view, has an area overlapping the secondelectrode 138 b. The term “channel region” here means a region at theinterface between a semiconductor layer and a gate insulating layerwhere carriers are accumulated and a channel is formed. In the firstembodiment, the channel region of the driving transistor 132 whollyoverlaps the second electrode 138 b in a plan view.

That is, the driving transistor 132 and the retention capacitor 138 aredisposed at different layers in a layer structure and disposed inoverlapping areas in a plan view. Having such a configuration makes itpossible to reduce the amount of space that is occupied by elementsdisposed within one pixel. This makes it possible to reduce the size ofone pixel, allowing the display device 100 to be high in definition.

Further, as can be seen from FIG. 4, the gate 132 a of the drivingtransistor 132 is connected to a jumper wire 148. The jumper wire 148 isdisposed over a fourth insulating layer 158 so as to connect the gate132 a of the driving transistor 132 to a drain 134 c of the selectingtransistor 134. The driving transistor 132 has its source 132 bconnected to a drive power line 144. The drive power line 144 isdisposed over the fourth insulating layer 158. The driving transistor132 has its drain 132 c connected to a pixel electrode 164. The pixelelectrode 164 is disposed over a planarizing insulating layer 160.

The selecting transistor 134 has a so-called bottom-gate structure inwhich a gate is disposed below a semiconductor layer with a gateinsulating layer interposed therebetween. The semiconductor layer 134 dof the selecting transistor 134 contains the first semiconductor (oxidesemiconductor) and is disposed at the same layer as the semiconductorlayer 132 d of the driving transistor 132. In a manufacturing step, thesemiconductor layer 134 d of the selecting transistor 134 and thesemiconductor layer 132 d of the driving transistor 132 may besimultaneously formed by the same photolithography step.

Furthermore, the selecting transistor 134 has its gate 134 a disposed atthe same layer as the gate 132 a of the driving transistor 132. That is,the gate 134 a of the selecting transistor 134 can also be said to bedisposed at the same layer as the first electrode 138 a of the retentioncapacitor 138.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the gate 134 a of the selecting transistor134 extends from a scanning signal line 140. The scanning signal line140 is disposed over the second insulating layer 154. That is, thescanning signal line 140 doubles as the gate 134 a of the selectingtransistor 134. The selecting transistor 134 has its source 134 bconnected to a video signal line 142. The video signal line 142 isdisposed over the fourth insulating layer 158. The selecting transistor134 has its drain 134 c connected to the jumper wire 148. The jumperwire 148 is disposed over the fourth insulating layer 158 so as toconnect the gate 132 a of the driving transistor 132 to the drain 134 cof the selecting transistor 134. In a layer structure, the fourthinsulating layer 158 is disposed at a higher layer than the drivingtransistor 132 and the selecting transistor 134. Further, in a planarstructure, the fourth insulating layer 158 is disposed across thedisplay area 104 a. The fourth insulating layer 158 may be made of thesame material as the aforementioned first insulating layer 152.

The first contact electrode 184 a is provided in a first contact hole182 a extending from a higher layer than the driving transistor 132 tothe source 132 b of the driving transistor 132. The first contact hole182 a is provided in a place overlapping the source 132 b of the drivingtransistor 132 in a plan view and is bored through the fourth insulatinglayer 158. The first contact electrode 184 a is connected to the source132 b of the driving transistor 132. This allows the driving transistor132 to have its source 132 b connected to the drive power line 144.

The second contact electrode 184 b is provided in a second contact hole182 b extending from a higher layer than the driving transistor 132 tothe second electrode 138 b. The second contact hole 182 b is provided ina place overlapping the drain 132 c of the driving transistor 132 in aplan view and is bored through the fourth insulating layer 158, thedrain 132 c of the driving transistor 132, the third insulating layer156, and the second insulating layer 154. This allows the second contactelectrode 184 b to be connected to the drain 132 c of the drivingtransistor 132 and the second electrode 138 b. This allows the drain 132c of the driving transistor 132 and the second electrode 138 b of theretention capacitor 138 to be connected to each other. Note here thatthe second contact electrode 184 b makes contact not only with a sidewall of an aperture bored through the drain 132 c but also with asurface of the drain 132 c around an edge of the aperture. This makes itpossible to prevent a bad electrical connection between the drain 132 cof the driving transistor 132 and the second contact electrode 184 b.

Note here that although the first contact hole 182 a and the secondcontact hole 182 b differ in depth from each other, they can besimultaneously formed by the same photolithography step. In forming thedrain 132 c of the driving transistor 132 in a photolithography step, itis only necessary to form an aperture in advance in the place where thesecond contact hole 182 b is to be formed. Alternatively, in forming thedrain 132 c of the driving transistor 132 in a photolithography step, itis only necessary to form the drain 132 c so that its edge overlaps theplace where the second contact hole 182 b is to be formed. This allowsthe source 132 b of the driving transistor 132 to serve as an etchingstopper during the formation of the first contact hole 182 a and allowsthe second electrode 138 b of the retention capacitor 138 to serve as anetching stopper during the formation of the second contact hole 182 b.

It should be noted that, over the fourth insulating layer 158, a thirdelectrode 138 c extends from the second contact electrode 184 b. Asshown in FIG. 4, the third electrode 138 c has an area overlapping thesecond electrode 138 b of the retention capacitor 138. In the firstembodiment, in a plan view, the third electrode 138 c covers an areaoccupied by the second electrode 138 b. This allows a further capacitorto be formed by the third electrode 138 c and the second electrode 138b.

The light-emitting element 136 is provided over the planarizinginsulating layer 160. The light-emitting element 136 is a self-luminouslight-emitting element. A usable example of the self-luminouslight-emitting element is an organic EL light-emitting element. Theorganic EL light-emitting element includes a pixel electrode 164, acommon electrode 166, and a light-emitting layer 168.

The pixel electrode 164 is disposed for each of the plurality of pixels110. It is preferable that, in order to reflect light generated by thelight-emitting layer 168 toward the common electrode 166, the pixelelectrode 164 be made of a material including a high-reflectance metallayer. The high-reflectance metal layer can be made, for example, ofsilver (Ag).

Furthermore, a transparent conductive layer may be stacked in additionto the aforementioned high-reflectance metal layer. It is preferablethat the transparent conductive layer be made, for example, of ITO(indium tin oxide), IZO (indium zinc oxide), or the like. Alternatively,the transparent conductive layer may be made of a combination thereof.

The common electrode 166 is disposed across the plurality of pixels 110.It is preferable that, in order to allow passage of light generated bythe light-emitting layer 168, the common electrode 166 be made of atranslucent and conductive material. It is preferable that the commonelectrode 166 be made of a material such as ITO (indium tin oxide) orIZO (indium zinc oxide). Alternatively, the common electrode 166 may bemade of a metal layer having such a thickness as to allow passage ofemitted light. It should be noted that, instead of being disposed tocover all the pixels as in the case of the first embodiment, the commonelectrode 166 may be divided into a plurality of blocks that are sharedby the plurality of pixels 110 or may be provided independently for eachpixel 110.

The light-emitting layer 168 is disposed to be sandwiched between thepixel electrode 164 and the common electrode 166. The light-emittinglayer 168 is made of an organic EL material that emits light whensupplied with a current. The organic EL material can be a low molecularor high molecular organic material. In a case where a low molecularorganic material is used, the light-emitting layer 168 includes a holeinjection layer, an electron injection layer, a hole transport layer, anelectron transport layer, or the like in addition to the luminousorganic material so that the luminous organic material is sandwiched.

The planarizing insulating layer 160 is disposed over the fourthinsulating layer 158. The planarizing insulating layer 160 is providedto planarize asperities attributed to the various types of transistors,wires, and the like disposed at a lower layer. The planarizinginsulating layer 160 can be made of an organic insulating material.Usable examples of the organic insulating material include acrylicresin, polyimide resin, and the like.

A bank 162 is provided between two adjacent pixels 110. The bank 162 isprovided so as to cover the outer edge of the pixel electrode 164.Furthermore, the bank 162 is provided so as to cover a connectionbetween the drain 132 c of the driving transistor 132 and the pixelelectrode 164.

It is preferable that the bank 162 be made of an insulating material.The insulating material can be an inorganic insulating material or anorganic insulating material. Usable examples of the inorganic insulatingmaterial include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, a combination thereof,and the like. Usable examples of the organic insulating material includepolyimide resin, acrylic resin, a combination thereof, and the like. Acombination of the inorganic insulating material and the organicinsulating material may be used.

The disposition of the bank 162 formed by an insulating material makesit possible to prevent the common electrode 166 and the pixel electrode164 from being short-circuited at an edge of the pixel electrode 164.Furthermore, adjacent pixels 110 can be surely insulated from eachother.

[Manufacturing Method]

FIGS. 6A to 6O are plan views illustrating a method for manufacturing adisplay device 100 according to the first embodiment. These drawingsshow cross-sections taken along lines A-A′ and B-B′ of FIG. 4.

The first insulating layer 152 is formed over the first substrate 104first, and then a polycrystalline silicon layer 171 is formed over thefirst insulating layer 152 (FIG. 6A).

The first insulating layer 152 can be made of a material such as aninorganic insulating material. Usable examples of the inorganicinsulating material include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and thelike. Alternatively, the inorganic insulating material may have alaminated structure of a combination of these materials. The firstinsulating layer 152 can be formed by a method such as a CVD method.

The polycrystalline silicon layer 171 is formed by forming an amorphoussilicon layer by a CVD method first and then polycrystallizing theamorphous silicon layer by heat treatment and an ELA (excimer laseranneal) method.

Next, the polycrystalline silicon layer 171 is patterned by aphotolithography step to form an island-shaped polycrystalline siliconlayer 172 (FIG. 6B). In this step, a layer that becomes the secondelectrode 138 b of the retention capacitor 138 and the semiconductorlayers of the transistors of the peripheral circuit (not illustrated)are simultaneously formed.

Next, the polycrystalline silicon layer 172 is subjected to an ionimplantation process a required number of times (FIG. 6C). An n-typeregion is formed by implanting impurities such as phosphorus (P), and ap-type region is formed by implanting impurities such as boron (B). InFIG. 6C, which shows the second electrode 138 b of the retentioncapacitor 138, n-type conductivity is imparted by implanting a highconcentration of impurities such as phosphorus (P) into thepolycrystalline silicon layer 172. This allows the second electrode 138b of the retention capacitor 138 to be formed.

It should be noted that although the foregoing steps have shown anexample in which ion implantation follows the patterning of thepolycrystalline silicon layer 172, the order is not limited to this butmay be reversed.

Next, the second insulating layer 154 is formed, and a first metal layer176 is formed over the second insulating layer 154 (FIG. 6D). The secondinsulating layer 154 is an insulating layer that constitutes theretention capacitor 138. The second insulating layer 154 can be made ofan inorganic insulating material. Usable examples of the inorganicinsulating material include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and thelike. The second insulating layer 154 can be formed by a method such asa CVD method.

The first metal layer 176 can be made, for example, of W, MoW, Mo/Al/Mo,Ti/Al/Ti, or the like. The first metal layer 176 can be formed by amethod such as a sputtering method.

Next, the first meal layer 176 is patterned by a photolithography step(FIG. 6E). A method of etching can be either dry etching or wet etching.This step allows the gate 132 a of the driving transistor 132, whichdoubles as the first electrode 138 a of the retention capacitor 138, thegate 134 a of the selecting transistor 134, and the scanning signal line140 to be formed.

Next, the third insulating layer 156 is formed, and a firstsemiconductor layer (oxide semiconductor layer) 174 is formed over thethird insulating layer 156 (FIG. 6F). The third insulating layer 156 isan insulating layer that constitutes the gate insulating layers of thedriving transistor 132 and the selecting transistor 134. The thirdinsulating layer 156 can be made of an inorganic insulating material.Usable examples of the inorganic insulating material include siliconoxide, silicon nitride, and the like. The third insulating layer 156 canbe formed by a method such as a CVD method.

The oxide semiconductor layer 174 can be formed by a method such as asputtering method. In the formation of a film by a sputtering method, asubstrate is heated during film formation, and a mixed gas Ar/O₂ isutilized and has a gas ratio of Ar<O₂. A power source used forsputtering may be a DC power source or an RF power source, and can bechosen according to conditions of formation of a sputtering target. Forexample when the sputtering target is InGaZnO, it can have a compositionratio In:Ga:Zn:O of 1:1:1:4 (In₂O₃:Ga₂O₃:ZnO of 1:1:2) or the like, andthe composition ratio may vary according to purposes (such as transistorcharacteristics).

An annealing process may be performed for film quality improvement suchas dehydrogenation and density improvement from the oxide semiconductorlayer 174. Annealing conditions can be determined by setting theatmosphere (vacuum, nitrogen, dry air, or air), the temperature (250 to500° C.), and the duration (15 minutes to 1 hour) according to purposes.

Next, the oxide semiconductor layer 174 is patterned by aphotolithography step (FIG. 6G), whereby the semiconductor layer 132 dof the driving transistor 132 and the semiconductor layer 134 d of theselecting transistor 134 are simultaneously formed.

It should be noted that although the first embodiment has shown anexample in which annealing precedes the patterning of the oxidesemiconductor layer 174, this does not imply any limitation andannealing may precede or follow patterning. It should also be noted thatin a case where the temperature is high, it is preferable that annealingprecedes patterning so that a shift in pattern of the oxidesemiconductor layer 174 due to shrinkage is prevented.

Next, a second metal layer 178 is formed (FIG. 6H). The second metallayer 178 can be made, for example, of W, MoW, Mo/Al/Mo, Ti/Al/Ti, orthe like. The second metal layer 178 can be formed by a method such as asputtering method.

Next, the second meal layer 178 is patterned by a photolithography step(FIG. 6I). A method of etching can be either dry etching or wet etching.This step allows the source 132 b and drain 132 c of the drivingtransistor 132 and the source 134 b and drain 134 c of the selectingtransistor 134 to be formed.

Note here that at least one aperture 133 is formed in the drain 132 c ofthe driving transistor 132 so that, in the subsequent step of formingcontact holes, the first contact hole 182 a, which extends to the source132 b of the driving transistor 132, and the second contact hole 182 b,which is bored through the drain 132 c of the driving transistor 132 andextends to the second electrode 138 b, are simultaneously formed.

Next, the fourth insulating layer 158 is formed (FIG. 6J). The fourthinsulating layer 158 can be made of an inorganic insulating material.Usable examples of the inorganic insulating material include siliconoxide, silicon nitride, and the like. The fourth insulating layer 158can be formed by a method such as a CVD method.

Next, a plurality of contact holes are formed by a photolithographystep, starting from the fourth insulating layer 158 (FIG. 6K). In thefirst embodiment, the first contact hole 182 a, which extends to thesource 132 b of the driving transistor 132, the second contact hole 182b, which is bored through the drain 132 c of the driving transistor 132and extends to the second electrode 138 b, a third contact hole 182 cthat extends to the source 134 b of the selecting transistor 134, and afourth contact hole 182 d that extends to the drain 134 c of theselecting transistor 134 are simultaneously formed. The second contacthole 182 b is provided in a place overlapping the aperture 133 providedin advance in the drain 132 c of the driving transistor 132. This allowsthe source 132 b of the driving transistor 132, the second electrode 138b of the retention capacitor 138, the source 134 b of the selectingtransistor 134, the drain 134 c of the selecting transistor 134 to serveas etching stoppers for the first contact hole 182 a, the second contacthole 182 b, the third contact hole 182 c, and the fourth contact hole182 d, respectively, so that these contact holes differing in depth canbe simultaneously formed.

At this point in time, the second contact hole 182 b is formed so as tohave an area overlapping the aperture 133 in a plan view. Furthermore,at this point in time, it is preferable that the second contact hole 182b be formed to be larger than the contour of the aperture 133 in a planview. In other words, it is preferable that the second contact hole 182b be larger in area than the aperture 133 in a plan view.

This causes a surface of the drain 132 c around an edge of the aperture133 and a side wall of the aperture 133 to be exposed at the drain 132 cof the driving transistor 132. With this, in the subsequent step offorming contact electrodes, the second contact electrode 184 b, whichfills the second contact hole 182 b, makes contact with the drain 132 cnot only by the side wall of the aperture 133 but also by the surface ofthe drain 132 c around the edge of the aperture 133. This makes itpossible to prevent a bad electrical connection between the drain 132 cof the driving transistor 132 and the second contact electrode 184 b.

Next, a third metal layer is formed, and the third metal layer ispatterned by a photolithography step (FIG. 6L). The third metal layercan be made, for example, of W, MoW, Mo/Al/Mo, Ti/Al/Ti, or the like.The third metal layer can be formed by a method such as a sputteringmethod. A method of etching can be either dry etching or wet etching.This step allows the video signal line 142, the drive power line 144,and the jumper wire 148 to be formed, and also allows the first contactelectrode 184 a, the second contact electrode 184 b, a third contactelectrode 184 c, and a fourth contact electrode 184 d to be formed.

Note here that the second contact electrode 184 b connects the drain 132c of the driving transistor 132 and the second electrode 138 b of theretention capacitor 138 to each other. As mentioned above, the secondcontact electrode 184 b makes contact with the drain 132 c not only bythe side wall of the aperture 133 but also by the surface of the drain132 c around the edge of the aperture 133. This makes it possible toprevent a bad electrical connection between the drain 132 c of thedriving transistor 132 and the second contact electrode 184 b.

Next, the planarizing insulating layer 160 is formed over the varioustypes of wires, and desired contact apertures are formed (FIG. 6M). Theplanarizing insulating layer 160 is provided to planarize asperitiesattributed to the various types of transistors, wires, and the likedisposed at a lower layer. The planarizing insulating layer 160 can bemade of an organic insulating material. Usable examples of the organicinsulating material include acrylic resin, polyimide resin, and thelike. The planarizing insulating layer 160 can be formed by a methodsuch as a coating method.

Next, the pixel electrode 164 is formed over the planarizing insulatinglayer 160 (FIG. 6N). As mentioned above, it is preferable that the pixelelectrode 164 be made of a material including a high-reflectance metallayer made of silver (Ag) or the like. Furthermore, a transparentconductive layer made of ITO (indium tin oxide), IZO (indium zincoxide), or the like may be stacked.

Next, the bank 162 is formed between two adjacent pixels 110 (FIG. 6O).The bank 162 is provided so as to cover the outer edge of the pixelelectrode 164. It is preferable that the bank 162 be made of aninsulating material. As mentioned above, the insulating material can bean inorganic insulating material or an organic insulating material.

Next, the light-emitting layer 168 is formed so as to cover the pixelelectrode 164 and the bank 162, and the common electrode 166, whichcovers the plurality of pixels 110 within the display area 104 a, isformed, whereby the array substrate 102 shown in FIG. 5 is completed.The light-emitting layer 168 can be formed by a method such as anevaporation method. The common electrode 166 can be formed by a methodsuch as a sputtering method.

The foregoing has described the configuration of and the method formanufacturing the display device 100 according to the first embodiment.The display device 100 according to the first embodiment can satisfyconstraint conditions pertaining to the width of the frame (bezel),power consumption, and the like of the display device by usingpolycrystalline silicon in the transistors that constitute theperipheral circuit. Further, the use of an oxide semiconductor in thedriving transistor 132, which constitutes the pixel circuit 130, makesit possible to reduce variations in the amount of light that are emittedby the pixels 110. Further, the use of an oxide semiconductor in theselecting transistor 134, which constitutes the pixel circuit 130, makesit possible to prevent charges accumulated in the retention capacitor138 from becoming lost due to a source-drain leak current. Furthermore,the overlapping disposition of the driving transistor 132 and theretention capacitor 138 in a plan view makes it possible to reduce thesize of the pixels 110, allowing the display device 100 to be high indefinition.

Second Embodiment

A configuration of a display device 200 (FIG. 8) according to a secondembodiment is described with reference to the drawings. It should benoted that the following description may omit invention-specifyingmatters that are common to the display device 100 according to the firstembodiment and the display device 200 according to the second embodimentand focuses on the differences between them.

The display device 200 according to the second embodiment differs fromthe display device 100 according to the first embodiment in theconfiguration of the selecting transistor 134 of each of the pluralityof pixels 110. Specifically, the semiconductor layer 134 d of theselecting transistor 134 contains the second semiconductor.

As mentioned above, it is desirable that the selecting transistor 134have satisfactory switching characteristics. That is, it is preferablethat the selecting transistor 134 be large in current value in anon-state and small in current value in an off-state.

In a case where attention is focused on achieving a large current valuein an on-state, it is preferable that the second semiconductor of theselecting transistor 134 be a material that is high in carrier mobility.As described in the first embodiment, the second semiconductor ispolycrystalline silicon.

This allows the selecting transistor 134 to supply a sufficiently largecurrent in an on-state. For this reason, as can be seen from the pixelcircuit 130 shown in FIG. 3, an increase in resistance between the videosignal line 142 and the gate 132 a of the driving transistor 132 can besuppressed in an on-state of the selecting transistor 134.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a pixel 110 of thedisplay device 200 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is across-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the pixel 110 ofthe display device 200 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 showscross-sections taken along lines A-A′ and B-B′ of FIG. 7.

The selecting transistor 134 has a so-called top-gate structure in whicha gate is disposed above a semiconductor layer with a gate insulatinglayer interposed therebetween. The semiconductor layer 134 d, whichfunctions as a channel region of the selecting transistor 134, containsthe second semiconductor (polycrystalline silicon) and is disposed atthe same layer as the second electrode 138 b of the retention capacitor138.

In the second embodiment, the selecting transistor 134 has a so-calledstaggered structure in which each of its electrodes, namely the gate 134a, the source 134 b, and the drain 134 c, is disposed above thepolycrystalline silicon layer 172 (FIG. 9B). As such, as compared withthe selecting transistor 134 of the display device 100 according to thefirst embodiment, which has an inversely-staggered structure, theselecting transistor 134 of the display device 200 according to thesecond embodiment is lower in parasitic capacitance and higher in speedof switching operation.

[Manufacturing Method]

FIGS. 9A to 9E are cross-sectional views illustrating a method formanufacturing a display device 200 according to the second embodiment.These drawings show cross-sections taken along lines A-A′ and B-B′ ofFIG. 7.

The first insulating layer 152 is formed over the first substrate 104first, and then the polycrystalline silicon layer 172 is formed over thefirst insulating layer 152 (FIG. 9A). The steps so far are the same asthose of the method for manufacturing a display device 100 according tothe first embodiment and, as such, are not described in detail here.

Next, the polycrystalline silicon layer 172 is patterned by aphotolithography step (FIG. 9B). In this step, a layer that becomes thesecond electrode 138 b of the retention capacitor 138, the semiconductorlayer 134 d of the selecting transistor 134, and the semiconductorlayers of the transistors of the peripheral circuit (not illustrated)are simultaneously formed.

Next, the polycrystalline silicon layer 172 is subjected to an ionimplantation process a required number of times (FIG. 9C). An n-typeregion is formed by implanting impurities such as phosphorus (P), and ap-type region is formed by implanting impurities such as boron (B). InFIG. 9C, which shows the second electrode 138 b of the retentioncapacitor 138, n-type conductivity is imparted by implanting a highconcentration of impurities such as phosphorus (P) into thepolycrystalline silicon layer 172. Along with this, n-type conductivityis imparted by selectively implanting a high concentration of impuritiessuch as phosphorus (P) into a region that becomes the source 134 b anddrain 134 c of the selecting transistor 134. At this point in time, noimpurities are added to the semiconductor layer 134 d of the selectingtransistor 134, so that it remains an intrinsic semiconductor.

The process from the next step to the formation of the source 132 b anddrain 132 c of the driving transistor 132 and the source 134 b and drain134 c of the selecting transistor 134 (FIG. 9D) is the same as that ofthe first embodiment and, as such, is not described here.

After the formation of the source 132 b and drain 132 c of the drivingtransistor 132 and the source 134 b and drain 134 c of the selectingtransistor 134, the fourth insulating layer 158 is formed (FIG. 9E).

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the methodfor forming a plurality of contact holes after the formation of thefourth insulating layer 158. The second embodiment differs from thefirst embodiment in the layer to which the third contact hole 182 c andthe fourth contact hole 182 d extend. In the second embodiment, etchingis performed under such conditions that the third contact hole 182 c andthe fourth contact hole 182 d both extend to the source 134 b and drain134 c of the selecting transistor 134 (FIG. 9D). This allows the source132 b of the driving transistor 132 and the second electrode 138 b toserve as etching stoppers for the first contact hole 182 a and thesecond contact hole 182 b, respectively, so that these contact holesdiffering in depth can be simultaneously formed.

At this point in time, as in the case of the first embodiment, thesecond contact hole 182 b is formed so as to have an area overlappingthe aperture 133 in a plan view. Furthermore, at this point in time, itis preferable that the second contact hole 182 b be formed to be largerthan the contour of the aperture 133 in a plan view. In other words, itis preferable that the second contact hole 182 b be larger in area thanthe aperture 133 in a plan view.

This causes a surface of the drain 132 c around an edge of the aperture133 and a side wall of the aperture 133 to be exposed at the drain 132 cof the driving transistor 132. With this, in the subsequent step offorming contact electrodes, the second contact electrode 184 b, whichfills the second contact hole 182 b, makes contact with the drain 132 cnot only by the side wall of the aperture 133 but also by the surface ofthe drain 132 c around the edge of the aperture 133. This makes itpossible to prevent a bad electrical connection between the drain 132 cof the driving transistor 132 and the second contact electrode 184 b.

Next, a third metal layer is formed, and the third metal layer ispatterned by a photolithography step (FIG. 9G). This step allows thevideo signal line 142, the drive power line 144, and the jumper wire 148to be formed, and also allows the first contact electrode 184 a, thesecond contact electrode 184 b, the third contact electrode 184 c, andthe fourth contact electrode 184 d to be formed. The next and subsequentsteps are the same as those of the first embodiment and, as such, arenot described here.

The foregoing has described the configuration of and the method formanufacturing the display device 200 according to the second embodiment.The display device 200 according to the second embodiment can satisfyconstraint conditions pertaining to the width of the frame (bezel),power consumption, and the like of the display device by usingpolycrystalline silicon in the transistors that constitute theperipheral circuit. Further, the use of an oxide semiconductor in thedriving transistor 132, which constitutes the pixel circuit 130, makesit possible to reduce variations in the amount of light that are emittedby the pixels 110. Further, the use of polycrystalline silicon in theselecting transistor 134, which constitutes the pixel circuit 130, makesit possible to suppress an increase in resistance between the videosignal line 142 and the gate 132 a of the driving transistor 132 in anon-state of the selecting transistor 134. Furthermore, the overlappingdisposition of the driving transistor 132 and the retention capacitor138 in a plan view makes it possible to reduce the size of the pixels110, allowing the display device 200 to be high in definition.

While some embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments describedabove but may be applied in many variations without departing from thespirit of the present invention, and such variations are encompassed inthe scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device including a plurality of pixelsarranged on a surface of a substrate, the plurality of pixels eachcomprising: a light-emitting element; a driving transistor; a selectingtransistor; and a retention capacitor, wherein the driving transistorhas a bottom-gate structure, and includes a semiconductor layercontaining a first semiconductor, the retention capacitor has a firstelectrode and a second electrode, the first electrode doubles as a gateof the driving transistor, the selecting transistor has a gate disposedat the same layer as the gate of the driving transistor, and the drivingtransistor has a channel region having an area overlapping the secondelectrode in a plan view.